Two more candidates file to run for Columbus Council seats. Complete list here

Five Columbus Council seats are up for reelection in 2026, as community activists have vowed to put pressure on incumbents at the ballot box following a series of controversial votes and actions.

Council seats representing Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be up for election May 19. Councilors Byron Hickey, Bruce Huff, Charmaine Crabb, Joanne Cogle and John Anker sit in these seats, respectively.

After the council voted to appoint Anker to the citywide District 9 seat, Royal Anderson, chairwoman of the Muscogee County Democratic Committee, promised in a March 25 council meeting that her organization would work to campaign against councilors who voted for the appointment.

While council seats are nonpartisan, Anderson argued that “about every decision made in these chambers means either blue or red.”

A coalition called Columbus, GA, United arose after the decision with the intent to support a unity candidate for races in the upcoming election. Leaders from organizations, including the Columbus branch of the NAACP and the Columbus Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, worked together on the plan after holding multiple news conferences condemning Anker’s appointment.

Here’s who has filed paperwork declaring their intention to run for the Columbus Council in 2026. This list will be updated with more information as it becomes available and new candidates join the race.

District 1

Simi Barnes

Simi Barnes, the daughter of the late Columbus Councilor Jerry “Pops” Barnes, filed paperwork to run for District 1.

A self-described Army brat, she was born in Fort McClellan, Alabama, but spent most her childhood at Fort Benning. Barnes graduated from Troy University in 2005 and received her license in professional counseling in 2009.

Since then, Barnes has worked to help unhoused individuals secure housing, support military families through challenging deployments and reintegration, and work with individuals suffering from sexual trauma.

Barnes criticized the council’s decision last year to have Byron Hickey succeed Pops as the District 1 councilor and fill the remaining two years of his term.

“Dad was the true definition of a statesman,” Barnes wrote in an email to the Ledger-Enquirer. “And I am both humbled and inspired by his leadership. That inspiration has led me to run for District 1 because I believe that the daily issues facing the citizens of Columbus still matter and don’t deserve to be overshadowed by the political interests of those in power.”

She also was among the residents who attended the March 25 council meeting to criticize the council’s decision to appoint Anker to the District 9 seat.

Barnes filed her declaration of intention to run for the District 1 seat July 11. She didn’t fill out the section asking for her campaign’s chairperson and treasurer.

“If elected, I will support initiatives that matter most to the constituents of District 1,” Barnes said. “I will make it a priority to improve housing accessibility and be a clear voice for those who are listened to the least but need to be heard the most.”

Karen Gaskins

Karen Gaskins filed a declaration of intention to run for the District 1 seat Aug. 29.

Gaskins is a Columbus native and retired from the Columbus Police Department, where she worked as a senior sergeant in the detective division. She also trained and served on the CPD Crisis Negotiation Team for 14 years.

She graduated from Columbus State University with a master’s degree in public administration.

In the past year, Gaskins has served on the Columbus Animal Control Oversight Board, where she is working to update ordinances after Paws Humane Society took over management of the city’s animal care and control.

Last year, she helped organize the opposition to the rezoning of 111.56 acres on Macon Road.

If elected, Gaskins said, she wants to focus on issues such as increasing affordable housing “without having a negative impact on existing neighborhoods,” government accountability and public safety.

“I have spent my entire adult life serving the citizens of Columbus. Police work is definitely not a career choice to get rich. I have a servant’s heart,” Gaskins told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email. “It has become so apparent that trust in government has been decimated. Transparency has become an issue. These two issues must change, and I can fix that.”

Gaskins is chairing her campaign, and Steven Rice is the treasurer, according to the disclosure document.

District 3

Sherrie Aaron

Sherrie Aaron filed Dec. 30 her declaration of intent to run for the District 3 seat on Columbus Council.That document shows Larcessa Holloway is her campaign treasurer, but nobody is listed as her campaign manager.

Aaron is the owner and operator of a Columbus residential program for girls called Sybil’s House. She ran for the District 3 seat on the Muscogee County School District Board in 2020,

In an emailed interview with the Ledger-Enquirer, Aaron wrote that she is running for a seat on the council “because I believe District 3 deserves leadership that is present, accessible, and responsive. I have spent years listening to residents and business owners, hearing their concerns, and working hands on in the community. I am ready to bring that same commitment and work ethic to City Council to ensure our voices are heard and our needs are addressed. This campaign is about community first leadership, transparency, and delivering real results for the people of District 3..”

Asked for the most important problem she wants to solve as a councilor and what is her solution, Aaron wrote, “The most important issue I want to address is quality of life in our neighborhoods, including infrastructure, public safety, and support for small businesses. Too often, residents feel overlooked when it comes to basic needs like road repairs, lighting, and access to city resources.

“As a council member, I will advocate for fair allocation of city funds, hold departments accountable through data and timelines, and maintain open communication with residents so progress is visible and measurable. My goal is to ensure District 3 receives the attention, investment, and respect it deserves.”

Zack Lee

During a news conference Nov. 13 announcing his candidacy, Zack Lee said his campaign is based on these pillars:

• Improving the safety and beauty of neighborhoods.
• Holding public officials accountable.
• Better resources for lifelong education and job training.

“We will invest in places for our families together, also healthier communities for our kids to thrive and follow us, enjoy high quality of life,” he said. “… This is about stepping up. It’s about our generation doing what we got to do move forward.

“We’re not going to wait for anybody to change anything. We’re going to lead that charge from here on out. I’m just ready to work. I’m ready to listen. I’m ready to fight for the future of this district, also for the city of Columbus.”

Lee, a graduate of Carver High School, is a filmmaker and former professional dancer. He has worked on productions such as Stomp the Yard, The Notebook, Coming to America 2 and The Color Purple Musical, while mentoring young artists and helping develop careers for local talent.

Through his company, Exackleeright Entertainment, he has created jobs, showcased regional talent and inspired young people to pursue their passions, according to his bio provided by campaign manager Chiara Richardson.

Nov. 12, Lee filed his declaration of intention to accept campaign contributions. Michael Riley is listed as his campaign treasurer.

Columbus Councilor Bruce Huff, the District 3 incumbent, announced Jan. 27 he isn’t seeking reelection. Regardless, Lee said his campaign isn’t about any opponent.

“I don’t want to say I necessarily would do a better job than him,” Lee said. “I just want to do my part in just contributing, … bringing in newer voters … or just new energy.”

Jake Golden IV

Jake Golden IV filed Feb. 4 a declaration of intention to run for the District 3 seat. He is principal of South Highlands Middle School in Union Springs, Alabama, and was principal of Phenix City Elementary School from 2020-25. He was a third-grade teacher in the Muscogee County School District from 2015-18, according to his LinkedIn page.

Golden, a Columbus native, earned a doctorate in education and founded a nonprofit organization, Sigma 7, through which he led initiatives on youth leadership, education and service, he told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email.

Columbus Councilor Bruce Huff of District 3 endorsed Golden during the Jan. 27 council meeting, when Huff announced he does not intend to run for re-election.

“I’m running because District 3 deserves strong, visible, and accessible leadership,” Golden wrote in his email to the L-E. “I may be new to the ballot, but I am not new to serving people. I’m stepping forward to work hard, serve faithfully, and lead with integrity.”

District 5

Robert Wadkins Jr.

Robert Wadkins Jr., a local criminal defense attorney, became the first candidate to file a declaration of intention to campaign for the Columbus Council District 5 seat on Oct. 28.

Wadkins is a Columbus native who graduated from St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School in 2001. He earned his law degree from the University of Alabama in 2010.

He opened a criminal defense firm in Columbus, joined by his father. Wadkins has worked thousands of criminal cases over a 15-year career in Columbus, he said in an email to the Ledger-Enquirer.

If he became a Columbus councilor, Wadkins said, he hopes to help Columbus improve on being a place where young people want to live, start families and build careers.

“But that won’t happen unless Columbus is a safe, vibrant city with real economic opportunities for young people,” he said. “I believe that I can help make that happen and build a community people are proud to call home.”

Wadkins listed Amy Bryan as his campaign chairperson and Jennifer Dunlap as the campaign’s treasurer in his filing. More information about his campaign can be found on Wadkins’ website.

He ran for the District 5 seat on the Muscogee County School Board in 2016, but he was defeated by Laurie McRae.

Charmaine Crabb

District 5 incumbent Charmaine Crabb confirmed to the Ledger-Enquirer in an email that she will be seeking reelection in the 2026 election.

“I’m grateful to the citizens of District 5 for their support and the trust they have placed in me to serve and represent them,” Crabb said. “I believe the citizens of Columbus need someone who recognizes what needs to be done and has the commitment to follow through on top priorities and see them through to completion.”

Crabb said she will continue to focus on being a good steward of citizens’ tax dollars, maintaining infrastructure and supporting public safety and the general government in serving Columbus citizens.

Over the last year, Crabb sponsored an ordinance making it illegal for individuals to camp on public property and introduced the motion to fire former city manager and current mayoral candidate Isaiah Hugley.

Crabb also faced criticism for comments she made to investigators probing the city’s finance department about local Black clergy who spoke in defense of Hugley and Black city department heads. After details of the investigation were released, she issued an apology.

Gavin Moss

Gavin Moss filed a declaration of intent to run for the District 5 Columbus Council seat on Jan. 21. Moss did not list a campaign chairperson or a treasurer on the document.

Moss told the Ledger-Enquirer in a Jan. 26 email that “recent events” have made him unable to run. As of Jan. 28, Moss has not submitted paperwork withdrawing from the race, according to the Muscogee County Board of Elections and Registration website.

District 7

Christopher Kelley

Christopher Kelley filed a declaration of intention to run for the District 7 seat July 11. Shameika Averett is chairing his campaign, and Christina Barnes is his treasurer, according to the document.

Kelley is a congressional staffer working for U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, serving as the deputy district director.

In this role, he works to facilitate cross-district meetings and correspondence with community partners, organizations and government agencies to “strengthen alliances for better governance,” Kelley wrote in an email to the Ledger-Enquirer.

Kelley has over 20 years of experience in marketing, sales, retail management, consumer retention and logistics. He is a professional motivational speaker and a former contributor to Davis Broadcasting in Columbus.

He was born in midwestern Ohio and is a former youth and correctional minister.

“I’m running to restore public trust in city government,” Kelley wrote in the email. “This is vital to our need for Public Safety, and our drive for Economic Development. This will be achieved through Transparent Humble Servant-Leadership. Leadership that puts people first.”

Becca Zajac

Becca Zajac, executive director of Dragonfly Trails, filed Dec. 4 her declaration of intention to run for the District 7 seat.

According to that document, former Columbus assistant city manager and former Uptown Columbus president Richard Bishop is Zajac’s campaign chariman, and Rebecca Covington, former communications director for Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson, is her campaign treasurer.

Zajac has lived in District 7 for more than a decade, she told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email.

In her role as executive director of Dragonfly Trails Inc., Zajac led Columbus’ 65-mile trail master plan. This plan expands recreation, improves transportation and connects residents to jobs, school and parks, she said.

“In this work, I’ve gained first-hand experience engaging community stakeholders, shaping policy, managing budgets and overseeing large capital projects,” Zajac said.

If elected, Zajac said, she hopes to encourage economic development by leveraging streetscape improvements in south Columbus to create hubs for jobs, investment and activity.

Her other priorities include increasing attainable housing options, building and expanding on the success of public safety programs, such as youth initiatives and technology, and to advocate for well-maintained parks, trails and neighborhoods.

Zajac said she also will support projects that improve connectivity through sidewalks, trails and streetscapes.

“I’m running because I bring thoughtful, collaborative leadership and hands-on experience,” she said. “And I am ready to put that to work improving everyday life for residents, businesses and families across our district.”

Marquese Averett

Marquese Averett, managing director for the Partnership of Southern Equity and a community activist, filed a declaration of intent to run for the District 7 seat Feb. 2.

Averett has a history of political activism in Columbus, having been arrested in 2016 during a Black Lives Matter protest for blocking Veterans Parkway for three to five minutes. More recently, he spoke out about the need to increase voter turnout during an April 17, 2025, community meeting.

This story will be updated with more details about Averett’s campaign after he responds to the L-E.

District 9

Rocky Marsh

Rocky Marsh is the first candidate to file a declaration of intention for next year’s council election June 12. He didn’t fill out the section asking for his campaign chairperson and treasurer. He is running for the District 9 at-large seat.

Marsh is a retired U.S. Army Veteran and a U.S. Department of Defense civil servant budget analyst at Fort Benning. He also serves on the Columbus Crime Prevention Committee.

He ran for the District 10 at-large council seat in 2024 but lost in a four-candidate race to Travis Chambers.

Some of Marsh’s goals include keeping communities safe by strengthening municipal services, supporting uniformed members and their families and encouraging economic growth and quality of life, according to his campaign website.

“I believe every family and neighborhood in Columbus deserves to be heard, in a safe, thriving community with a positive quality of life,” Marsh told the Ledger-Enquirer in a July 14 email. “I’m running because Columbus needs leaders with varied perspectives, who are present, accountable, and ready to represent issues and challenges facing our city.”

John Van Doorn

John Van Doorn filed his declaration of intent to run for the citywide District 9 seat on July 15. He didn’t fill out the section asking for his campaign chairperson and treasurer.

He is a paralegal with a Ph.D. in Political Science, published author and taught at the University of Oklahoma, Columbus State University and on Fort Benning and other military posts.

“I have over 30 years of teaching and practical experience in politics and policy,” Van Doorn told the L-E.

Van Doorn has served on local boards, including the Historic District Preservation Society and the board for Historic Westville. He also participated in the racial reconciliation initiative Be the Bridge.

He is a former chairman of the Muscogee County Democratic Party.

Some of Van Doorn’s goals include helping eliminate food deserts, promoting healthy lifestyles, reducing crime by increasing opportunities and increasing respect for law enforcement and other public servants, he said in a July 15 email to the Ledger-Enquirer.

“I am running to build coalitions and unity (as I have in previous organizations) in order to help bring about a forward-looking vision for the city of Columbus,” Van Doorn said. “That vision will help bring up underserved areas and less privileged citizens of Columbus, without bringing anyone else down.”

Cathy Cook

Dr. Cathy Cook filed a declaration of intent to run for the citywide District 9 seat on July 14. She didn’t fill out the section asking for her campaign chairperson and treasurer.

She has lived in Columbus for 55 years, Cook told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email, and followed in her father’s footsteps, who is a retired dentist. Cook has been a practicing dentist for the past 27 years and owns Cook Dental Care.

Cook faced challenges with her practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, losing about 30% of her team overnight. But they worked through it and merged two practices, expanding services.

This experience with her practice led to Cook being inspired to run for office, she said.

“In 2022, I discovered that my practice sits at the heart of one of Columbus’ largest food deserts,” Cook said. “I presented a proposal to the Rotary Club to redevelop the adjacent plaza into a space that could host a grocery store, urban farm co-op, and affordable housing — because I believe access to healthy food and quality living conditions is a basic right for every citizen.”

John Anker

Columbus Councilor John Anker filed Jan. 28 his declaration of intent to run for the citywide District 9 seat. He is chairing his campaign, and Lacy Umphress is the treasurer, according to the document.

Anker was appointed as an interim councilor last year to complete the late Judy Thomas’ term after she resigned because of declining health.

He is the president of the Columbus-based manufacturing company Ankerpak, and he has run citywide races for mayor and council District 10 in 2022 and 2024 respectively.

Anker was not available to provide more information for his biography and campaign platform before publishing. This will be updated as more information about his campaign is received.

This story was originally published July 14, 2025 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Two more candidates file to run for Columbus Council seats. Complete list here."